AS a long-term committed volunteer with Andover Adult and Family Learning (AAFL), based at the Longmeadow Centre, Cricketers Way, I was extremely disappointed that Harrow Way Community School was unable to continue to manage this priceless community provision after August of this year.
This was potentially a huge loss to the wider Andover community as, in the years since 2001 when AAFL started, so many families had benefitted from the provision.
The successes of the learners – in a range of subjects, including maths and English – has had the knock-on effect of not just inspiring other adults to raise their aspirations but on their children, too.
Andover residents and all the organisations that AAFL worked with will be delighted to hear that this important community resource has not been lost to Andover. Thankfully Romsey Community School did recognise the benefit of this community-based learning and was able to secure funding to deliver a similar service for the Andover community. Test Valley Borough Council allowed it to take over the management of the Longmeadow Centre so they even have a home in Andover.
Despite not being contactable since September (due to the cancellation of the phone line and BT taking rather a long time to install the new line) the centre is open and has a new telephone number – 01264 359223 – and a range of well subscribed activities and courses are already underway.
Jill Graham, Mead Hedges, Andover
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